House of Burgesses

House of Burgesses, representative assembly in colonial Virginia, which was the first elective governing body in a British overseas possession. The assembly was one division of the legislature established by Gov. George Yeardley at Jamestown, July 30, 1619; the other included the governor himself and a council, all appointed by the colonial proprietor (the Virginia Company). Because each Virginia settlement was entitled to elect two burgesses (delegates), the original membership of the House of Burgesses was 22. The popular
assembly, like the British House of Commons, granted supplies and originated laws, and the governor and council enjoyed
the right of revision and veto, as did the king and the House of
Lords at home. The council also sat as a supreme court to
review the county courts. This system remained unchanged
until the American Revolution.

Henry, Patrick: in the House of BurgessesPatrick Henry (standing at right) before the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, Va., May 30, 1765; engraving after a painting by Peter F. Rothermel, c. 1852.Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (neg. no. LC-USZ62-3775)